HERDADE DO PESO Truly Alentejo

INDICATORS

Herdade do Peso, produced by Sogrape, is their specialist brand of produced entirely in •the Alentejo region. With an attractive and broad range to satisfy consumer needs, the wines of Herdade do Peso are full and captivating, with flavours, aromas and colours that typify the best this region has to offer.

Vinha do Monte (both white and red), now recognised as a classic from the region, was launched •in 1991 and was Sogrape’s first offering from the Alentejo. Today, in addition to the above, Herdade do Peso markets a range that includes: the Colheita; the Reserve; the Sossego; the Trinca Bolotas; the Essência do Peso; and the top of the range, Ícone.

The Herdade do Peso includes a 20 hectare dam, whose water is precious for the drip •irrigation system throughout the vineyard and an extensive olive grove.

The Herdade do Peso is in Pedrogão in the county of Vidigueira. This name is synonymous •with an abundance of vines in this region, the significance of which has been well-documented throughout the ages.

The Herdade do Peso property occupies a total area of 465 hectares. Currently 120 hectares are •planted, with 112 hectares of red (Aragonês, , , Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Petit Verdot, , Alfrocheiro, Castelão and Moreto), and only 8 hecta- res of white grapes (Antão Vaz, Arinto and ).

Before purchasing the Herdade do Peso, Sogrape had, since 1992, already been contracted to •purchase grapes from the property.

HISTORY

POISED FOR SUCCESS

Since the company was founded in 1942, Sogrape has invested in major Portuguese regions to fulfill its stated ambition of promoting the unique variety and quality of wines produced in Portugal on the world stage. With a strong presence in the Douro region, the company has rapidly expanded its area of influence to the Vinho Verde and Dão regions, where its contribution is now recognised as being crucial to the survival, these quintessentially Portuguese wines. Therefore, Sogrape’s entry into the Alentejo, the wine region with the highest national growth rate, was natural and inevitable.

1

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. The seemingly late arrival of Sogrape in the Alentejo in the early 1990’s was due, above all, to the way in which the company strategically plans its growth. The Alentejo is an established wine region with a reputation for quality and strong competition, therefore Sogrape took extreme care in asses- sing the viability of making an acquisition in this very important region.

The opportunity to gain a foothold in this region arose in the area of Vidigueira. After careful scrutiny and planning Sogrape made this crucial investment that has led to the undeniable success that is Herdade do Peso. This choice, was not only motivated by the well-documented excellence of its natural conditions for production, but also by a family connection between the local landowner and some of the company shareholders. This facilitated a very advantageous cooperation.

The first wine from the Alentejo to be made by Sogrape appeared in 1991 and was produced with grapes from selected producers in the Vidigueira area. It was vinified in a rented local under the specialist guidance of the Sogrape team, using the technology available to them as one of Portugal’s leading producers. Vinha do Monte, a wine that is now synonymous with the Alentejo region, was the first to be launched.

The success of the first harvests hastened the need to strengthen the presence of Sogrape in this region. Herdade do Peso, a beautiful vineyard and olive grove in the parish of Pedrogão, belonging to the family of Fernando Guedes, looked like a leading contender to join the Sogrape portfolio. The company it in 1996, modernised it and made it the centre for its wine production in the Alentejo.

As early as 1992, Sogrape signed a contract with the owner for the purchase of grapes direct from Herdade do Peso. Since then, it has provided the technical assistance for planting new . After the acquisition of the property, this intensified and culminated in the construction of a dedica- ted winemaking centre, enabling the winemaking team led by Miguel Pessanha to achieve a higher level of quality in the production of the different wines, the Reserve Collection, and more recently the Ícone, that the consumers have come to know, love and appreciate.

Currently, the Herdade do Peso range offers different levels of complexity and styles, from the ce- lebrated top wine, Icone, to the highly unusual single varieties, from more affordable options such as Vinha do Monte to the exclusive Herdade do Peso Reserve. This means that today the Sogrape brand in the Alentejo can provide a wine to satisfy every taste and moment, as confirmed by the specialist wine press and wine competitions around the world.

In short, the grandeur of the Alentejo and the passion of Sogrape for this region compelled us to undertake this project to provide the consumer with the best it has to offer.

2

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. THE WINEMAKER

“The oenologist’s primary role is to interpret nature.”

In 1964, Luís Cabral de Almeida was born into a family for who wine has always been something more than just a simple pleasure. Although his origins date back to a farm in Viseu, deep in the Dão region, from where, in 1991 his Sogrape career was launched, and in spite of his first taking place in the Douro, from where he spent the next 10 years in Argentina, his current challenge, has brought him to the Alentejo, - “a region that has always fascinated me for its sense of horizon.”

A man of few prejudices, he is well suited to the Alentejo region which warmly welcomed him in 2012. Luís Cabral de Almeida first studied Agricultural Engineering at Universidade de Trás-os-Mon- tes e Alto Douro (UTAD). Deciding to devote himself to , he completed a post-graduate degree from the Charles Stuart University, Australia, with extensive technical training in Bordeaux. Luís always maintains that “the oenologist’s primary role is to interpret nature.” Stemming from his education, experience and upbringing, his belief is that “oenology increasingly depends on the vine”, so that it becomes essential to work closely with . With his ability to communicate his vision to everyone he works with, his drive to remain well informed about market trends is a reality which he embraces. “An oenologist cannot live in a bubble, isolated from the world.” It was his recent experience in Argentina, as head of Finca Flichman wines, which ultimately made clear to him the relevance of good relations and the relative insignificance of distances. Luís comments, “I’m undou- btedly a regionalist, but my region is Portugal!”

Childhood visits to cousins in the Alentejo always captivated him, as did the drawn-out hunts on land adjacent to Herdade to Peso. All these many and varied experiences basically translate into the hundreds of kilometres travelled, sometimes culminating in a typical Alentejan meal, to achieve in a profound knowledge and affection for this region.

Married, and a father of three, the youngest incidentally a Mendozan, the Sogrape oenologist is passionate about wine and food. Having taken up the reins of Herdade do Peso in 2012, Luís Cabral de Almeida is also an avid skiing enthusiast, as well as enjoying tennis, golf and spending time in the sun with family and friends. But although he won’t find much snow in the Alentejo, the rest of his history would indicate that he is well suited to this region and that Herdade do Peso will make him feel right at home.

3

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. THE REGION

ECONOMIES OF SCALE WHERE THE SMALLHOLDER IS THE EXCEPTION

The demarcated region of the Alentejo wine region has a great diversity of soil types.

The Herdade do Peso is located in the wine region of Vidigueira in the Alentejo and its historical links to vines and wines dates back to the birth of the nation. The very name “Vidigueira” is associated with an abundance of grape vines, such is the importance that this activity has had throughout the ages.

The history of vineyards in the Alentejo region is very long and often troubled. The only archaeolo- gical evidence supporting the use of the wild vines for wine production appears for the first time in the seventh century BC, owing to the presence of the Phoenicians in the region. We also know that the Romans were active producers and consumers of the wine produced here. There are records of large exports of Alentejo wines in the seventeenth century, due to the opening up of the great sea routes which developed world trade at this time.

In the nineteenth century, vineyards were widespread throughout the region, but with the arrival of powdery mildew, downy mildew and phylloxera, grape vines almost disappeared in the region, surviving here and there when grown in conjunction with other crops such as olives. The coup de grace, which almost led to the disappearance of vineyards in the region, was delivered by the State in the 1930’s, when it defined the Alentejo as a region for the production of cereals, to launch the Wheat Campaign.

The revival of viticulture in the Alentejo occurred in the 1950’s with the establishment of winegro- wers’ cooperatives that somehow managed to give structure to a very disparate wine sector. The great leap towards modernity was provided in the 1980’s with the creation of ATEVA (Associação Técnica dos Viticultores do Alentejo) [Alentejo Association of Winegrowers], in 1983, and CVRA (Comissão Vitivinícola Regional do Alentejo) [Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission] in 1989.

The truth is that the demarcated region of the Alentejo is now the most dynamic in Portugal and is the one where small farms have less presence in the overall sector. The demarcated area coincides with the geographical area of the Alentejo, extending over 26,158 km2. The total vineyard area is around 23,500 hectares distributed between about 4,000 owners, and is divided into eight sub- -regions, namely: Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Évora, Reguengos, Granja-Amareleja, Vidigueira and Moura.

4

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. The region is characterised by plains and features the mountain ranges of S. Mamede (in the north, rising to 1,025 m), Ossa (in the Central Alentejo, rising to 649 m), and Portel (towards the south, rising to 421 m).

The Alentejo Demarcated Region is Portugal’s wine growing area with the widest diversity of soil types. Along with the climate, which varies from north to south and boasts approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it is the variety of soils that leads to the greatest diversity of wines produ- ced in this region.

The distribution of these soil varieties into eight sub-regions contributes decisively to the diversity of Alentejo wines. With regard to the Vidigueira sub-region in which Herdade do Peso is located, the main red grape varieties, which as a whole or separately represent a minimum of 75% of the total varieties planted, are Tintas Aragonez, Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Castelão, Trincadeira, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional. Among others there are Moreto, Petit Verdot and Tou- riga Franca. The white varieties of Antão Vaz, Arinto, , Fernão Pires, Manteúdo, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha, Tamarez and Trincadeira das Pratas, as a whole or separately, represent a mini- mum of 75% of the total varieties planted. Among others are Chardonnay, Verdelho and Viozinho.

THE ESTATE

HERDADE DO PESO: NATURE AND INNOVATION WORK HAND IN HAND

The red grape varieties predominate in the 120 hectares of vineyards.

The Herdade do Peso has a total area of 465 hectares. Currently, there are 120 hectares of planted vineyards, 20 hectares are occupied by a large dam with a depth of 12 to 15 metres to support the irrigation system, with the remaining area occupied by olive trees.

The grapes growing in the vineyard have an average age of 10 years and the red varieties dominate (112 hectares), with an emphasis on Aragonês, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The white varieties, mainly Antão Vaz, Arinto and Chardonnay, are planted on 8 hectares only.

5

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. PRECISION VITICULTURE

Scientific techniques are used to identify the best vineyard plots and, within each plot, the best areas for the production of each type of wine.

By adopting precision viticulture, Herdade do Peso is developing a sustainable viticulture, a mode of production that integrates the best practices to balance economic, social and environmental issues.

The major developments carried out using precision viticulture include micro-zoning of soil and precision irrigation, with climate analysis at three meteorological stations installed by Sogrape from north to south of the country for assessing temperature, precipitation, radiation, wind speed and humidity.

Micro-zoning is based on scientific soil analysis: identifying a dozen different soil types based on hundreds of surveys and more than a dozen ditch studies.

Precision irrigation has been developed with the dual purpose of optimising the irrigation for each grape variety according to the style of wine required and to ensure the most economical use of pre- cious water resources.

6

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. THE WINERY

The Herdade do Peso winery has the winemaking capa- city to process 750,000 kg of grapes.

In 1998, Sogrape began the construction of a winemaking centre with the capacity for working with about 750,000 kg of grapes.

Dedicated to the production of , there is a grape reception area and inside, the fermentation and storage areas. The first area consists of 10 tanks equipped with a water-cooling circulation sys- tem and temperature control for fermentation, and two wine presses. There are 18 stainless steel tanks ranging from 5,000 to 35,000 litres for wine storage.

High temperatures, a significant range of daytime and night-time temperatures, and the exceptio- nal summer solar radiation leads to an excellent, even ripening of the grapes. The usually begins around the last week of August and extends to the end of September. The harvest date is determined through the study of maturation which includes anticipated alcohol level, acidity, grape weight, phenolic compounds, the aroma and taste of the grapes, in order to obtain the optimum picking date for each variety.

7

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. BRANDS

THE AUTHENTIC ALENTEJO

Herdade do Peso, produced by Sogrape, is their specialist brand of wines produced entirely in the Alentejo region. This brand revitalises and captures the real essence of the Alentejo, through the science and the know-how of Sogrape. They produce exuberant and captivating wines whose flavours, aromas and colours remind us of the best life has to offer and the region in which they are grown. The wines are conceived to provide the best the Alentejo has to offer and to promote conviviality and enjoyment of fine cuisine. The Herdade do Peso brand has been able to evolve and keep pace with the latest wine trends, while retaining the focus on its image by strengthening communication with consumers.

HERDADE DO PESO ÍCONE is the top of the range wine that Sogrape produces in the Alentejo only in truly extraordi- nary years that achieve the pinnacle of quality.

ESSÊNCIA DO PESO is an invitation to experience the uni- que sensation of a wine that embodies the essence of Her- dade do Peso and its , year after year. These terroirs, combining 12 different types of soil with a unique terrain, are what give each version of this wine its exceptional tas- te and character. Based on an innovative concept, Essên- cia do Peso is the fruit of the pioneering micro-zoning work carried out across the 120 hectares of the Herdade do Peso vineyard. This wine has a style of its own, and stands apart from others of the Alentejo region.

The HERDADE DO PESO RESERVE is a wine of great quality, complex and elegant, only produced in exceptional and encapsulates all the splendour and vivacity of Alentejo wines.

8

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. The range continues with the HERDADE DO PESO COLHEITA, a high quality wine, lush and rich, produced only in years of good quality to complement the Sogrape Vinhos products from the Alentejo.

An autochthonous Portuguese species and the only survivor of the grazing pigs in Europe, the pork from the Alentejo is a gastronomic treasure and also the name of the latest wine from Herdade do Peso. TRINCA BOLOTAS range presents 3 excellent and versatile wines (one white and two reds), highly gastronomic, in the good old Alentejo way.

SOSSEGO, which in Portuguese means “peace and quiet”, is perfectly synonymous with the calm and tranquillity of the area in which these wines are produced. This truly inspiring brand continues to represent the uniqueness of the rolling plains, the and the spirit of Herdade do Peso. The name says it all. The Sossego range, which comes in White, Red and Rosé, consists of highly versatile and gastronomi- cally adaptable wines that pair with anything, for moments of pure pleasure.

VINHA DO MONTE (red, white and rosé) is the entry level brand, and was interestingly the first to mark the entry of Sogrape into the Alentejo in 1991. It quickly became a sy- nonymous with the region.

9

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. THE ART OF CONSUMPTION

MODERATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

To taste a wine is to know it and enjoy it in moderation.

HOW TO CONSUME, SERVE AND STORE WINE IN THE BEST CONDITIONS

The answer to this question calls for a reasoned approach: The best way to consume a wine is always, but always, with moderation and responsibility. Herdade do Peso firmly supports this ap- proach and encourages all its consumers to savour and responsibly enjoy its wines in moderation. Its parent company, Sogrape, has been a signatory, right from its inception, of the European project called “Wine in Moderation” as well as a founder member of the Fórum Nacional Álcool e Saúde [National Forum for Alcohol and Health], an organisation that supports, at a national level, the mini- misation of damage caused by harmful use of alcohol.

In addition to the message “Be responsible. Drink with moderation”, and the logo of “Wine in Mode- ration” both included in all consumer communications from Herdade do Peso, Sogrape publishes and distributes a small brochure entitled “Por um consumo saudável do vinho” [For Healthy Wine Consumption], which describes the main objectives of the project “Wine in Moderation by Sogrape” and gives advice and guidance for responsible consumption.

Bearing in mind that wine should be consumed responsibly and in moderation, it is worthwhile learning a few tips for its maximum enjoyment. These include the best choice of food, the art of serving wine in the right glass and at the right temperature, and how to cellar wine under the correct conditions.

10

Be responsible. Drink in moderation. SERVE OR CELLAR?

Serving a wine with the necessary refinement requires knowledge and respect for rules that can seem quite complex. Many types of wines are available and so diverse is the selection that that there is a multitude of options: when and how to serve; choices of glasses; ideal temperatures and accompaniments for each wine. The same applies, incidentally, to options cellaring wines, totally dependent upon its individual characteristics and its capacity for maturation.

Because of this, one is advised to carefully read the wine’s information sheet every time. In the case of Herdade do Peso, information is available from the brand portfolio on the website www.sograpevi- nhos.eu. Here you will find advice that will help you make the most of every wine and every occasion.

For more information, please contact: Inês Vaz – +351 227 850 300 [email protected] www.sograpevinhos.com

11

Be responsible. Drink in moderation.